Internet Update

Objective

In this exercise, you will learn about the Lacerte Internet Update Notifier and use the Internet Updates Wizard to download and install updates to programs on your computer (if available).

Facts

Start the Internet Updates Wizard and check for any available updates. If updates exist, download and install them. Depending on when you check for updates, there may or may not be program updates available at Lacerte. If no updates exist, you may wish to review this exercise at a later date.

Program Considerations

Using the Internet Updates feature, you can download Lacerte program updates via your Internet connection. This gives you access to the latest version of the Lacerte Tax program without having to wait for the next CD-ROM release.

Internet Update Notifier

When you first install the Lacerte program, you are prompted to "turn on" the Lacerte Internet Update Notifier. If you select Yes, the notifier starts when Windows starts and will check for updates periodically.

The Internet Update Notifier resides in your system tray and can check for updates to both the Lacerte Tax program and the Lacerte Tax Planner. It will alert you when new updates are available, and will not interfere with any running programs. You can schedule it to check for updates when it is most convenient for you.

When updates exist, you are notified and you can begin the download at that point or choose to ignore them. Any time you contact Lacerte via Lacerte E-Mail, REP, Electronic Filing, or Support Bulletins transmissions, the Internet Updates utility checks to see if there are any updates available to the programs you are using. If updates are available, a small icon appears on the bottom right area of the screen's status bar .

If you see the update notification icon on your screen, you can check to see what updates are available at Lacerte by using the Internet Updates Wizard.

Internet Updates Wizard

When you use this to check for updates, you see a list of the available updates for the programs that are currently installed on your system. By default, the wizard shows you only updates that are newer than the program versions installed on your computer, but you can view all available updates to the current Lacerte CD.

You can read the Release Notes (information regarding the update) by highlighting it after you have checked for updates.

After you download updates, you are prompted to install them. You can choose to install the updates on your system immediately, or wait until a later time. When you install the updates, Internet Updates closes the Lacerte Tax program and proceeds with the installation.

If you need to install the update on a computer that does not have Internet access, you can use the wizard to export downloaded updates from one computer and import and install them on another computer.

How?

To start the Internet Updates Wizard:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Updates.
   
   
2. Click Next to continue.
3. Click Check for, download, and install available program updates (Recommended), and then click Next.
   
   
4. The program checks for updates.
   
   
   
   

   If no updates exist, click OK and cancel the wizard

   
   
   

   If updates exist, continue with # 5 below.

5. Check the boxes next to the updates to download. Updates to versions already installed will automatically be checked.
   
   
   
   

   If desired, you can elect to show all program updates available.

   
6. Click Next.
7. The program downloads the selected updates.
   
   
8. Click Next to install the updates.
   
   
9. Click Next.
   
   
10. The program installs the updates.
    
    
11. Click Finish to complete the process and restart the program.

To export downloaded updates (for use on another computer):

1. Open the wizard and select Export, Import, or Delete program updates, and then click Next.
   
   
2. Click Export downloaded program updates, and then click Next.
   
   
3. In the Export To box, select the location where you want to export the program updates.
   
   
   

   You can also click Browse to find a specific location.

4. In the Downloaded Updates list, click the boxes next to the updates to export, and then click Next.
5. Click Finish.

To import updates (from export location):

1. Open the wizard and select Export, Import, or Delete program updates, and then click Next.
   
   
2. Click Import program updates, and then click Next.
   
   
3. In the Import From box, select the location where you exported the program updates.
   
   
   

   You can also click Browse to find a specific location.

4. In the Downloaded Updates list, click the boxes next to the updates to import, and then click Next.
5. Click Next to install the updates.
6. In the Downloaded Updates list, click the boxes next to the updates to install, and then click Next.
   
   
7. The program installs the updates.
   
   
8. Click Finish to complete the process and restart the program.

Tips & Shortcuts

• You can manually start the Internet Update Notifier by clicking Start>Programs>Lacerte>Update Notifier>Lacerte Internet Update Notifier.
• You can also open Internet Updates by clicking the icon in the status bar . Even if no icon exists, you can click the area where the icon would be to open Internet Updates.

Review

You should now be able to download and install any necessary updates from Lacerte.

Troubleshooting

Problem: I can't connect to check for updates.

Solution: If you are using America OnLine, CompuServe, or Prodigy (or if this problem occurs), you may need to connect to the Internet before opening Internet Updates.

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